Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is a hormone imbalance caused when the thyroid does not produce enough thyroid hormone.

What are the Symptoms of Hypothyroid? The most common are fatigue and intolerance to cold. If everybody is wearing short sleeves and you are wearing a jacket, you most likely have a hypothyroid issue. Other common symptoms are mental instability or depression, muscle weakness and fatigue, poor memory, lethargy and headaches. Still other symptoms are deep slow speech, loss of hair, cold hands and feet, constipation, pale thick skin, brittle nails, and swelling of the face and eyelids. And finally excessive and painful menstrual flow, nervousness and palpitations.

How to Know for Sure?

You can ask your doctor to perform a thyroid test and/or conduct the following simple self-test at home:

You must first sleep through a full night. (The test will not work if you have gotten up or gone to the bathroom.) When you are awake but still in bed, take your temperature in your armpit. Do this and record the temperatures 3 days in a row. A normal reading would be between 97.8 - 98.2 Fahrenheit. A reading below 97.8 would indicate hypothyroid activity. (Above 98.2 would indicate hyperthyroid activity.) If you are menstruating, take your temperature on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th day of the period.

Causative Influences

Influences which can contribute to Hypothryroidism are malnourishment, and thyroid and pituitary exhaustion due to excessive caffeine, sugar, alcohol and other stimulants. Malnourishment, of course, does not mean lack of food, but rather, a diet of processed, unnatural foods that are not nourishing. Other environmental factors include the consumption of fluoridated water, and pesticides and radiation.

Women Take Note

One out of eight women will develop hypothyroid problems in their life. The condition often manifests between 30 and 50, along with the hormonal changes taking place then. As soon as you enter this age range, it pays to stay alert to this issue. By "nipping it in the bud' you can spare yourself unnecessary suffering. This is why the regular use of a natural progesterone hormone cream like Prosperin can be very helpful.

Helpful Supplements

1. 2000 - 3000 mg. of kelp each day (kelp is rich in iodine, vitamin B and folic acid.) and/or

2. L tyrosine, 500 mg. twice daily, taken on an empty stomach, and not with milk.

3. Raw thyroid glandular - available from your physician.

4. Prosperine for women, Prosperon for men. To learn the value of natural progesterone creams.

5. 2000 mg. vitamin C, to support the adrenal glands

And as always, avoid stress, rest, enjoy your life, eat a healthy diet, and do all your disciplines with joy, every moment.

Warmly, Pieternel van Giersbergen.

About The AuthorPieternel Van Giersbergen has been an R.N for over 25 years. She develops natural products for preventive health and is an expert on natural health issues. Her site http://www.pieternel.com has over 120 articles about healing yourself and staying healthy.

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